Q: I can't tell if you are making this up. How did you lose your legs?

A: Would you believe a sky-diving accident?

Q: No.

A: How about a snowboarding pileup?

Q: No.

A: How about I got an infection and it led to blood poisoning?

Q: That, I believe.

A: The doctors had to cut off my right leg below the knee and almost all of my left foot. After a long stint in intensive care, then seven weeks at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, I am now in a wheelchair. But I can’t wait to get back on my own two — artificial — feet again.

Q: What will those be like?

A: I am hoping they will be like Iron Man, and I will be able to fly and kick over buildings.

Q: You are being very brave about this.

A: It is amazing how brave you can be when you have no choice. Also, I am on a lot of drugs.

Q: I have a gruesome and disgusting question.

A: Of course, you do. You are one of my readers.

Q: What do they actually do with amputated limbs? Bury them? Burn them? What?

A: They put them on eBay.

Q: No!

A. Actually, I don’t know what they do with them, but if I get a strange package in the mail, I’ll let you know.

Q: Have there been any aftereffects of your surgeries?

A: I keep having the same dream: I am floating in a dark, frigid void. After what seems like an eternity, I see a faint light that grows steadily brighter. I make my way to it. Seated on a golden throne and surrounded by all manner of angels, there is a glowing figure that seems to radiate infinite serenity. He motions me forward. I advance. He bends down to whisper in my ear. “Win the morning,” he says. Then I wake up.

And just in time, too. There hasn't been a single decent story written about politics since you went on vacation. Thank god nothing happened while you have been away. Status quo everywhere from Washington to South Carolina...

Roger my dear -- My husband almost died from the same thing the week after our second child was born. So of course I wanted to kill him for being in ICU during the all-night feedings of the baby. Now I can't decide which was worse -- being without a husband while having a toddler and a newborn.... or..... not having Roger to read and to see in the office every day. It's at least a tie........ We love you and missed you and are so so so very grateful we've got you back. I went to my senior prom in a wheelchair and by the end of the night the boys were wheeling me through the streets of downtown Oklahoma City. I can't wait to get you and the chair in to the streets of downtown Rosslyn. Get ready. Much love -- one of your biggest fans --

Roger I think you are fabulously brave and witty. I have never consciously followed a particular journalist on politico before, but I'll certainly look for you now. Your positive outlook is refreshing and also motivational. I don't know what "Win the Morning" means to you as a politico but for me it now means 'get up, get at it, and seize an early opportunity to be successful'.

Your column and your comments on television shows have been sorely missed. It is good to have you back. It's unfortunate what happened to you, but the most important part of your body (not that!), the one on your shoulders is obviously still in tact!

In 1922 my grandfather caught his boot in a railway tie and his leg was cut off below the knee. He was in hospital a year and later as gangrene set in more and more of his leg was amputated. But he continued in his position in the Pensions Department of (ironically) the Canadian & Pacific Railway for 35 years.

Mr. Simon: Welcome back after your unfortunate and life changing incident. As always, your readers look forward to reading your surprisingly honest and straight up comments in the future. I have been unemployed for the past 7 months. With a family to support, your comment - " Win in the morning" is something that keeps me going everyday, trying to obtain gainful employment.

I have known Roger Simon since High School. Probably the first writing that I recognized as being witty, and insightful at the same time. A great guy, got me a photography gig at the Daily Illini when he was the editor. Was sad to see his column take hiatus, more disconcerted when we all didn't know the exact reason. Evidently his biting wit has not been diminished by this difficult situation in which he found himself. Go Roger, keep at this, get your legs again, and kick some ass.

I've generally stopped looking at comments on news sites, because of all the nastiness and rage. But I had to look here, just to see if even a post like this would draw something from the Enraged-American Community. And aburr came through! Thank you, aburr, for proving that people like you will *never* turn down an opportunity to be mean and vindictive. Anonymously.

Welcome back, Roger. I've been reading you since I was a kid in Chicago. I haven't always agreed with you, and yet, I never felt a need to try to work out my own psychiatric problems by directing rage your way.